NAIFA's Redesigned Website, Designers Honored
NAIFA's website recently received a 2006 APEX Awards of Excellence in the Most Improved Web & Intranet Sites category. NAIFA launched the new website after a year-month redesign process that began with a series of focus groups held at the 2004 Convention is Las Vegas and ended with the launch of the new site at the 2005 Convention in Baltimore.
APEX also recognized the work of NAIFA's Communications Department staff designers.
Designer Ellen Errico received two awards. APEX recognized her San Francisco convention logo in the Logos, Stationery & Graphic Standards Materials category; and her 2005 National Leaders Conference materials in the Conference & Meeting Campaigns & Programs category.
Designer Autumn Stevens received her award in the Annual Report Design & Layout category for NAIFA's 2005 Annual Report.
NAIFA redesigned the website in direct response to requests and input from members and leaders. The site now features:
- A clean, contemporary design that is easy to navigate
- An emphasis on advocacy and member benefits
- One-click access to member favorites
- More prominent display of Member Login, Find Your Local Association, Member Locator, Membership Services and other features
- A prominent "What's New" section highlighting important news and events
Database-driven technology allows NAIFA staff to quickly add new content to get the latest information to members in the shortest amount of time. The technology also eliminates the need for members to sign in multiple times during the same visit as they moved from section to section.
Maintaining and improving the NAIFA website is an ongoing process and new features are added regularly. Recently added to the site's Advocacy section -- www.naifa.org/advocacy -- is the expanded Legislative Action Center, where members can send email to the state and federal officials, look up issues and legislation, including NAIFA's position on insurance-related bills, and even find contact information for local and state media contacts. There's even a "Register to Vote" feature with voter registration information for every state.
Also new to the site is the Regional Meeting Calendar at www.naifa.org/newsevents/meetings/region.cfm. State and Local Leaders may now publicize their association meetings on the NAIFA-National website using the online meeting calendar form at www.naifa.org/leaders/membership/calendar_entry.cfm (Leaders Center sign-in required).
Plans to add audio and video podcasts, expanded blogs and other new features are also in the works.
In the coming months NAIFA will conduct more focus groups and survey members about improving the website and adding new features.
If you have any questions about the NAIFA website or suggestions for new features, please contact Vicky Dobbin, director of communications, at communications@naifa.org.